Squamish Nation elects 15 councillors and new chairperson: Record-setting voter turnout in general election

September 29, 2025

North Vancouver, B.C., September 29, 2025 – Squamish People elected 15 councillors, one chairperson and one band manager on Sunday, Sept. 28 to hold office for the next four years. The election doubles the size of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Council, previously set at seven councillors and one chairperson.

Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw (Chairperson and Council) – which can be interpreted as “As advised by the People” – is the elected decision-making body that sets the overall direction of the Squamish Nation.

Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams was elected council chairperson by acclamation as he ran for the position unopposed. This is Wilson’s fourth term in office, as he previously held councillor positions. “We are a dynamic Nation with a bright future, and I am extremely excited and energized about the new term ahead,” says Chairperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams. “Thank you to all the candidates who ran in this election. I look forward to working with our new band manager and council as we collectively create new pathways and opportunities for our Nation.”

Wilson also acknowledged outgoing Chairperson Khelsilem and the previous seven councillors for their service to Community during the past four years, and the many significant things they accomplished together during the term.

The unofficial vote count shows 1,317 Squamish People voted in the election, representing 41 per cent of the eligible voters. Just over 3,250 Squamish Members were eligible to vote in the election either by casting a ballot on Sunday, voting online, and through mail-in ballots. This is the highest voter turnout on record for a Squamish Nation General Election.

Two re-elected councillors, Shayla Jacobs and Syexwaliya (Ann Whonnock) will join 13 new general councillors to represent Squamish People on council. A new band manager, Tsunaxen Willie, was also elected. Two people elected to Council, Jonah Chase Gonzales and Johnny Williams and are under the age of 30.

“It’s exciting to see so many of our youth becoming engaged in the democratic process. We are demographically a young Nation with a bright future ahead,” said elected chairperson Wilson.

Earlier this year, the Nation voted to amend the Squamish Nation Election and Referendum Law to increase the number of Councillors and Chairperson from the existing eight to 16. Dedicated seats – for the North Shore, Squamish Valley and outside the Region — were also removed; the Nation shifted to electing general councillors.

The new 16 elected officials reflect the origins of the Squamish Nation, when 16 Squamish families decided they would be stronger together and amalgamated in 1923.

The following people have been elected to Squamish Nation Council:

Council Chairperson:
Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams (elected by acclamation)

Band Manager:
Tsunaxen, Willie Lewis (837 votes)

Councillors:
Alroy (Bucky) Baker (865 votes)

Syexwaliya, Ann Whonnock [Re-elected] (856 votes)

Anthony Joseph (754 votes)

Sandy Lafontaine (Douglas) (676 votes)

Amanda Williams (638 votes)

Jody Broomfield (601 votes)

Faye Halls (579 votes)

Shayla Jacobs [Re-elected] (572 votes)

Kalkalilh, Deanna Lewis (524 votes)

Jonah Trevon Chase Gonzales (523 votes)

Yul Baker (522 votes)

Jonny Williams (520 votes)

Bertha Joseph (482 votes)

Matthew Houghton (472 votes)

Sxwchálten, Kevin Rivers (470 votes)

* Bianca Cameron (Joseph) received 642 votes but was disqualified under a new Squamish Nation electoral law that limits council positions to one immediate family member. Bianca’s sister, Sandy Lafontaine (Douglas) received more votes (676).

About Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw:

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) is an innovative, modern Indigenous government dedicated to protecting its air, land and water while ensuring a healthy, sustainable economic future for all Squamish People. Squamish People have lived on the lands now known as Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the Municipality of Squamish for thousands of years. The Nation traces its roots back to multiple physical communities before becoming a government entity in 1923. Today almost half the Nation’s population, of more than 4,100 Squamish People, live on urban reserves in the territory. The Nation is building its future based on its rich history, traditions, culture and land. Squamish Nation has never ceded or surrendered title to its lands, rights to its resources, or the power to make decisions within its territory. Learn more at Squamish.net

For more information, please contact: media@squamish.net

For full voting results: www.squamish.net

NT5